Thundermother (self-titled)

Thundermother is back, baby. Now run out and get me pack of smokes and some whiskey, would ya?Sweden has been in the throes of retro rock for a decade or so - and they're damned good at it, let me tell you. Case in point, Thundermother. Their last album, Road Fever, was a raucous, beer-swilling soundtrack that heralded a band succeeding on its musical merits rather than the novelty of being a woman-fronted hard rock band. Chalk that up largely to the fertile mind of lead guitarist and founder, Filippa Nässil. And the all new band's new self-titled album continues that thought with more ass-kicking rock and roll than you can shake a stick at.

After the previous album, four members of the band left, leaving Filippa to put together a new lineup with Guerinca Mancini (vocals), Emlee Johansson (drums), and Sara Pettersson (bass). Mancini's smoky vocals are perfect for the raw energy of Nässil's beefy riffs, sounding like a cross between Pink and [the criminally underrated] Suze DeMarchi by way of Doro Pesch. Having conquered the Wacken festival despite only playing together for a few months, they hit the studio. Recording everything live, they laid down 15 tracks in just 10 days, most of which made the new album. And that raw energy is present in the atmospheric mix captured by award-winning producer Thomas Plec Johansson. This album sounds fantastic, like an old vinyl gem you might come across in a forgotten record store. Imagine Angus Young doing a side project with Pink and you sorta get an idea of what to expect - but don't let that decide for you. Check this band out for yourself, ya hear?

The Bottom Line: Sweden isn't done with the retro rock thing, but that's not a bad thing. Especially if you're in the market for some classic bar-rocking tunes that sound old[-school] and fresh at the same time.

- Genghis would like to be up front stage for this band if they come to town...

Podcast #228: Frozen

Light the fire and grab a brew, it's Kicks and Kisses time! Art by Krankenkatz. Buried in the frozen wastes of...Texas, the lads have busted out of their igloos to bring you their annual end of the year Kicks and Kisses List for 2017. Rejoice, rejoice, and join Genghis & Ragman, and all the Whos down in Whoville, as they crack wise about a year that may have sucked outside of music, but was actually a pretty good year for metal.

It's been a lean year to be honest. Harvey was a stone cold bitch. But we're looking forward to more output in 2018 with some improved equipment - hell, we even got a present from one of our fans (yes, that's "fans" plural)! So, keep them fingers crossed - but also keep those HORNS UP!

Video of the show: The End - Black Sabbath

Beer of the Show: Bourbon County Brand Northwoods Stout (Goose Island Brewing)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"Goose Island has outdone themselves with a fantastic sipping beer that begs for cigars by the fire."

2nd Beer of the Show: Black Crack (Southern Star Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"This is easliy one of the best bourbon barrel-aged stouts we've ever had. Delicious!"

Featured Tracks: Amon Amarth - Viking Christmas; Black Sabbath - War Pigs; Sons Of Apollo - Coming Home; AC/DC - Hells Bells; Aerosmith - Shapes; Bad News - Cashing In On Christmas; Sweet & Lynch - Bridge of Broken Lies; Dayshell - Car Sick; Miss May I - Shadows Inside; Persefone - Prison Skin; Mr. Big - Forever and Back; Without Waves - Poetry In Putrid Air; Kobra and the Lotus - Light Me Up; Jinjer - I Speak Astronomy; Gov't Mule - Revolution Come, Revolution Go; Nova Collective - Cascades; Lynch Mob - Main Offender; Harem Scarem - Bite The Bullet; Pink Cream 69 - Man Of Sorrow; Tracy G Group - P.C.H.; Steel Panther - Wasted Too Much Time; Ten - The Travellers; Harem Scarem - Sinking Ships; Persefone - No Mind Faceless; Mr. Big - She's All Coming Back To Me Now; Lynch Mob - Miles Away

Podcast #228: Frozen

Podcast Interview: Jeff Scott Soto

The boys recently caught up with Jeff Scott Soto to discuss his latest release, Retribution.  Jeff is one of the busiest men in rock.  He is now a member of Sons of Apollo, but has made time to come up with another strong solo effort.  Jeff discusses his new album, as well as the differences between his solo work and Soto.  Jeff also give some insight on what tracks on the album, were left over from his years in Talisman.  You don't want to miss this one.

And hey if you dig the Jeff Scott Soto's music as much as we do, show them some love by purchasing Retribution from your favorite online store won't you?  HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks: Damage Control, Reign Again, Last Time, Breakout, Inside Outside, Soto - Freakshow

-Ragman is counting the days until Sons of Apollo hits H-town.

Podcast Interview: Jeff Scott Soto

Podcast Interview: David Readman (Pink Cream 69)

The boys recently caught up with David Readman (Pink Cream 69) to discuss Pink Cream 69's latest release, Headstrong.  It has been 4 years since Pink Cream's last album, Ceremonial, but the band have returned in 2017 with one of their strongest releases since Electrified.  David gives an in depth look into Headstrong, by discussing several tracks and their meanings.  David also discusses many of his side projects.

And hey if you dig the Pink Cream 69's music as much as we do, show them some love by purchasing Headstrong from your favorite online store won't you?  HORNS UP!

Featured Tracks:  Pink Cream 69 - Higher Kind of Love, Shame, Walls Come Down, Unite and Divide, Bloodsucker, Whistleblower, Stranger in Time

-Ragman is loving this new PK69.  Headstrong rocks!  Crank it up you muthas!

Podcast Interview - David Readman (Pink Cream 69)

Podcast #227: Pre-sale

If this little postage stamp of a photo of the men of Nocturnal Rites makes you curious, you can embiggen it.How many times did you stand in line for hours waiting for concert tickets back in the day? We've spent many an hour waiting to get tickets to see our favorite bands, often camping out the night before to ensure we got better tickets than the scalpers - though it usually didn't work out that way. Fast forward 30 years and now camping out is a thing of the past. In most cases, as long as your awake by 9:45AM and can get the computer fired up, you're good. Join the lads as they discuss their ticketing trials and tribulations in the past as well as the present and the myserious rise of the "pre-sale" phenomenon.

Next, Ragman goes head to head with Nocturnal Rites bassist Nils Eriksson to discuss the band's latest release Phoenix, the band's 10-year hiatus, and what it was like getting the band going again. You don't want to miss this episode, because if you do...well, you've missed it. HORNS UP!

Editor's Note: Sorry for the lag time guys. G & R have been tied up with many different projects but are now getting back on track. Get ready for our infamous Kicks and Kisses lists of 2017 coming soon!

DVD of the Show: The Winery Dogs - Live in Santiago

Beer of the Show: [Cellared 2016] Barrel-aged Cherry Chocolate Double Brown Stout (Deep Ellum Brewery)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"It may not need cellaring, being barrel-aged, but this stout is absolutely outstanding."

Featured Tracks: Lynch Mob - I'll Take Miami; Sons of Apollo - Signs of the Time; Art of Anarchy - The Madness; Judas Priest - Freewill Burning; Nocturnal Rites - Still Alive, Heart Black as Coal, A Song for You, What's Killing Me, Nothing Can Break Me, and The Iron Force

Ragman's Classic of the Show: Heavy Pettin' - Love on the Run

Genghis' Classic of the Show: Anthrax - Armed and Dangerous

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Kinlin - Forever and a Day

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Act of Defiance - The Talisman

- Ragman is disappointed about how Genghis failed long it took to get this show up...

Podcast #227: Pre-sale